New rules for certification of death

Introduction of medical examiners and reforms to death certification

A new death certification process will come into effect in England & Wales on 9th September 2024. The death certification system in England and Wales is overdue for reform – it has remained largely unchanged for 50 years.  Changes to the process were first proposed following the Shipman enquiry in 2005, which established that GP Harold Shipman had probably murdered 250 patients during his career, certifying most deaths as natural. 

Under the new rules where a death is not being investigated by a coroner, NHS Trusts and GPs will be required to share records of all patients who die from natural causes with a local medical examiner.  The attending GP will complete a medical certificate of cause of death (MCCD) based on their knowledge and belief. This will be reviewed by the medical examiner, who will also complete a declaration of certification and scrutiny. Both certificates will be sent to the registrar, and the family will be notified that the five-day window to register the death is now running. 

Additions have been made to the people who can register the death to include the deceased partner or other representative. This may make it easier for solicitors to assist families when registering a death, relieving the immediate family of this emotional task.

The new medical certificates will include details of the attending GP and information about the deceased such as their declared ethnicity, medical devices, and implants.

If you should require any further information please visit An overview of the death certification reforms on the GOV.UK website. Alternatively, should you require any assistance with dealing with the affairs of a loved one, please contact us on 0330 0945 500, email info@nevesllp.co.uk or complete our Contact Form and we'll get back to you.